People

Honoring the People of Pearl Harbor

The story of Pearl Harbor is not only about ships and battles—it’s about the people. From the courageous servicemen who defended their country on December 7, 1941, to the civilians who endured the attack, and the families who have carried their memories forward, their experiences define the legacy of this pivotal event. Today, dedicated staff, volunteers, and visitors work together to preserve and share these stories, ensuring the sacrifices and resilience of those who came before us are always remembered. Discover the lives, legacies, and contributions of those who have shaped Pearl Harbor’s history, both in the past and today.

 

 

Service members killed on December 7, 1941, from left to right: Mervyn Bennion, USS West Virginia; David Crossett, USS Utah; J. B. Miller, USS Tennessee; Archie Callahan, USS Oklahoma; and Hubert Aaron, USS Arizona.

NPS

 

The Casualties of Pearl Harbor

The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, marked a profound awakening for both military personnel and civilians in the region, highlighting the harsh realities of war. On that day, 2,390 Americans, including both service members and civilians, lost their lives.

A significant portion of the casualties occurred on the USS Arizona, where 1,177 service members perished. Notably, the ship had 38 sets of brothers aboard, including three sets of three brothers, and 63 of these siblings died in the attack. The USS Oklahoma suffered the second highest loss of life with 429 fatalities. Between December 1941 and June 1944, Navy personnel worked to recover the remains of those who died on the Oklahoma. Initially, only 35 men were positively identified. The remainder, nearly 400 unidentified servicemen, were interred as unknowns at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. In a significant effort beginning in 2015, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, in partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs, exhumed these remains to identify them, successfully returning over 300 sailors and Marines to their families.

Hickam Field experienced the third largest loss with 191 fatalities, including five civilians. The USS West Virginia and the USS California also saw significant casualties, losing 106 and 105 crew members respectively.

Additionally, the attack directly resulted in the deaths of 49 civilians, some due to enemy actions and others from friendly fire.

Information on Casualties

• Total casualties at Pearl Harbor: 2,390 American service members and civilians.
• Service members killed: 2,341 on December 7, 1941.
• USS Arizona:
  • 1,177 service members died.
  • 38 sets of brothers were aboard, including three sets of three brothers.
  • 63 of the 79 brothers died in the attack.
• USS Oklahoma:
  • 429 service members died.
  • Only 35 of the remains were identified at the time.
  • From 2015, over 300 sailors and Marines have been identified and returned home.
• Hickam Field: 191 people lost, including five civilians.
• USS West Virginia: 106 service members lost.
• USS California: 105 service members lost.
• Civilian casualties: 49 civilians killed, some by enemy action, others by friendly fire.

 

Service members who survived the Pearl Harbor attack, from left to right: Paul Goodyear, USS Oklahoma; Dale Augerson, USS West Virginia; Gerald Ross, USS Blue; John Seelie, Schofield Barracks; and Ralph Krafnick, USS New Orleans.

NPS

 

The Survivors of Pearl Harbor

The courageous men who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor have left behind powerful legacies. Many survivors of the USS Arizona and USS Utah made the heartfelt choice to be interred back into their ships after their passing, joining their fallen shipmates in eternal rest.

• USS Arizona Survivors: These brave men chose to return to the USS Arizona, resting forever within the ship that became their final resting place.
• USS Utah Survivors: The survivors of the USS Utah also made the decision to be laid to rest aboard their ship, honoring their bond with the vessel and their comrades.

Discover personal stories and watch interviews with these survivors, preserving their memories and their accounts of the events on December 7, 1941.